Title: Do It Anyway / Topic: Courage

Today’s Reading: Ezra 2; Ezra 3; Luke 8

Scripture: Ezra 3:3
3 Despite their fear of the peoples around them, they built the altar on its foundation and sacrificed burnt offerings on it to the LORD, both the morning and evening sacrifices.

Observation: This short verse contains what I believe is a great definition of courage. Courage is not the absence of fear but the decision to act in spite of it. The returning Israelites had been captive for seventy years under a hostile and sometimes brutal regime. Now a king came to power that gave them the freedom to go back to their homeland and rebuild a temple to their God. But the people living in the land of Israel when they returned didn't want them there. But despite their fear of the surrounding people they acted in obedience to God. They worshipped Him as He prescribed, and the Lord protected them.

Application: The lesson from this is simple. Do what is right in the eyes of the Lord regardless of the fear of being ostracized, made fun of, or even persecuted by others.

Prayer: Father, fill me with courage to do and speak what is right in all situations. I want to fear no man, only you. May your Church rise up with confidence born of courage and the conviction of knowing what is right. Thank you for your love, protection and enablement. May we all please You.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.